Banking and returning to Ireland (2024)

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  • Opening a bank account
  • Using your account from another country
  • Non-resident bank accounts
  • Basic bank accounts (EU residents only)
  • More information

Opening a bank account

If you are returning to Ireland, you may want to open an Irish bank account.

Before you open a bank account, you must show proof of identity (such as a valid passport or driving licence) and proof of address (such a recent utility bill). In general, this means you cannot open an Irish bank account until you have arrived home.

You may not need to open a bank account in Ireland if you already have an account in the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) - see 'Using your account from another country' below.

If you need a bank account in Ireland, some banks offer 'non-resident' accounts, which you may be able to open before you return home - see more below.

If you are resident in another European Union (EU) country and you do not have a bank account in Ireland, you can open a 'basic bank account', which you can use for everyday banking.

Using your account from another country

If you are returning to Ireland from another SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) country, you can continue using your bank account from that country, for payments and transfers in euro.

For example, your new employer in Ireland can pay your wages into your German account.

You can also set up direct debits with Irish utility companies using your International Bank Account Number (IBAN) from another SEPA country.

This means you do not need to open a new Irish bank account to be paid by your employer or to pay for utilities.

If you make a euro payment to another EU country, your bank cannot charge you more than it would to make the transaction within your country.

This applies to electronic transactions including:

  • Bank account transfers
  • Debit or credit card payments
  • Direct debits
  • Cash machine (ATM) withdrawals

SEPA countries

SEPA countries include:

  • All countries in the EU
  • The United Kingdom
  • Iceland
  • Liechtenstein
  • Monaco
  • Norway
  • Switzerland
  • Andorra
  • San Marino
  • Vatican City

SEPA, the UK and Brexit

Although the United Kingdom left the European Union in 2020 (often called ‘Brexit’), the UK continues to be part of SEPA.

This means you can continue to use your UK IBAN for payments and transfers in euro. You may be asked to give additional information, such as the BIC code and address of your bank.

My employer or utility company won’t accept my IBAN

Employers and companies in Ireland must accept IBANs from other SEPA countries. This is set out in Article 9 of the SEPA Regulation (pdf), and SI 132/2013.

If your SEPA IBAN is not accepted, this is called ‘IBAN discrimination’. You should make a written complaint to the employer or utility company, advising them of their obligation.

If that does not resolve the issue, you can report it to the responsible authority:

Read our page on how to Complain about utilities.

Non-resident bank accounts

Some banks in Ireland offer ‘non-resident’ accounts. This means you might be able to set up an Irish bank account before you return home.

You still must prove your identity and address (this requirement is set out in anti-money laundering legislation), but the bank may accept a foreign utility bill, for example, if it has been certified by a solicitor or police officer.

Different banks have their own requirements, so you should contact your preferred bank directly for advice.

Basic bank accounts (EU residents only)

If you are resident of any EU country and you do not already have a bank account in Ireland, you can open a basic bank account.

A basic bank account is like a current account, but there are no charges for everyday banking for at least the first year. This means you can withdraw cash from an ATM and use a debit card for payments without any extra cost. However, your debit card may not come with the contactless payment feature.

Read more about basic bank accounts.

More information

You can get more information about your banking options when returning to Ireland from Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI).

You can also contact any of the banks in Ireland directly to discuss your options.

Page edited: 16 August 2023

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Contact Us

If you have a question about this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0818 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm).

You can also contact your local Citizens Information Centre.

Banking and returning to Ireland (2024)

FAQs

Banking and returning to Ireland? ›

If you are returning to Ireland, you may want to open an Irish bank account. Before you open a bank account, you must show proof of identity (such as a valid passport or driving licence) and proof of address (such a recent utility bill).

Can I keep my Irish bank account if I move abroad? ›

As mentioned, it's not necessary to keep your Irish account open when moving abroad, but in most instances, it is wise, especially if you know you'll be returning in a number of months or years.

Can I open an Irish bank account if I don't live in Ireland? ›

It is possible to open a bank account in Ireland as a non-resident, but it depends on the bank or provider. Some banks offer non-resident accounts, including Bank of Ireland and Allied Irish Banks (AIB).

Do I have to pay tax if I transfer my savings to Ireland? ›

If you have savings from income you earned abroad when you were non-tax resident in Ireland, you can transfer these savings to Ireland without having to pay Irish tax. If you were tax resident in Ireland when you earned your foreign income, you may have to pay tax if you transfer these savings to Ireland.

Can I open an Irish bank account from the US? ›

If you're not a resident in Ireland and want to open a non-resident account, you'll find traditional banks which offer this option. However, in this case you may be asked for: Copies of 2 photo ID documents, certified by a solicitor or police officer. Proof of address, certified by a solicitor or police officer.

What is the best bank for expats in Ireland? ›

Which Irish bank is best for non-residents? For non-residents in Ireland, N26 and Bunq are considered the best Ireland banks, offering convenient digital banking solutions tailored to their needs.

Do I need to tell my bank I am leaving the country? ›

Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so they do not flag charges you make in another country as fraudulent. Some companies allow you to enter travel dates online, or call your bank directly.

Do I need to tell Bank of Ireland I'm going abroad? ›

You don't need to notify us of your travel plans. However, we may contact you by text or email while you're away to confirm your transactions. What do I do if I receive a text or email? If you receive a text and/or email while using your cards abroad, simply send us a one word response.

Do you need an Irish address to open a bank account? ›

You may find a bank will also accept an Irish Residence Permit or a Temporary Residence Permit if you have one. For a standard Irish bank account, you'll need to be able to prove your Irish residential address. Proof of address documents can include: A recent utility bill (less than 6 months old)

Can I walk into Bank of Ireland and open a account? ›

Setting up an account and bringing an Interpreter to open an account. When you have your required documentation ready you can come into any Bank of Ireland branch and we can start the process to get your new account set up.

Is US social security taxed in Ireland? ›

The exemption from United States tax was agreed to by the US tax authorities on the basis that these pensions would be subject to tax in Ireland. Therefore, an Irish resident recipient of a United States social security pension is a chargeable person on such pension for income tax purposes.

What is the 7 year rule in inheritance tax in Ireland? ›

If the donor dies within the 7 years from the date of the gift/transfer and the gift(s) are worth more than the IHT Nil Rate Band at the date of their death, a taper relief method will apply to same. How much tax is due depends on the value of the gift, when it was given and to whom.

Does Ireland tax foreign inheritance? ›

If you receive a gift or an inheritance of foreign property, you may have to pay Irish Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT). This will be the case if you, or the person that you receive the property from, are resident, or ordinarily resident, in Ireland. A certain amount of your gift or inheritance may be tax-free.

Can I use my US debit card in Ireland? ›

Most US, UK and Australian debit and credit cards should be usable in Ireland. Visa, Mastercard (Cirrus and Maestro) and American Express are all widely accepted. However, you may have a little more trouble using a Diner's Club card, and Discover isn't often accepted in Ireland.

Does Bank of America operate in Ireland? ›

Since opening an office in Ireland over 50 years ago, we have been helping clients navigate markets, industries and geographies to drive growth on a global scale.

Can I keep my Irish bank account when I move abroad? ›

You do not have to live in Ireland to maintain irish bank accounts.

What happens to my bank account if I move abroad? ›

Yes, it is a good idea to tell your bank that you're moving. If you don't, you could find that access to services like online banking is restricted once you've moved abroad. The bank could also freeze or close your account. You don't want to risk cutting off access to your money.

Do I need to close my bank account if I leave the country? ›

As discussed on this page, we would advise against closing unless it is absolutely necessary or unless there are large fees. In most situations, it best to keep accounts open and active - in particular, if you expect to return to the US in the future.

Do Irish citizens pay taxes if they live abroad? ›

If you are non-resident you are required to pay Irish tax on any Irish sourced income. For example, if you rent out an Irish property while you are abroad, you are chargeable to Irish tax on this income. If you are working abroad for the Irish Government, you are required to pay Irish tax on that income.

Does an Irish company have to have an Irish bank account? ›

There is no requirement stating that you must have a bank account in Ireland. This opens up many options for banking both within Ireland using online banks for Non-Resident Directors, and also banking abroad for your Irish Company.

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